Home › BMW › X6 › 2009
2009 BMW X6: problems, recalls and fuel economy
NHTSA has 22 owner complaints on file for the 2009 BMW X6, and the car also has several recalls, so checking that each one was completed matters more than the complaint count[1][2].
Most reported problems
NHTSA lists 22 owner complaints for this model year[1]. One mentions a fire. None mention a crash, an injury or a death[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and the counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The engine group is the largest, with 13 complaints, one fire and a median mileage at failure of 68,000[4]. In the sample of engine complaints we read, owners describe three kinds of trouble:
- Overheating or cooling system failures, in 4 of 12 texts[4].
- Oil leaks or exhaust smoke, sometimes with large repair estimates, in 5 of 12 texts[4].
- Stalling or loss of power while driving, in 5 of 12 texts[4].
The themes overlap, and the sample is small, so do not read these counts as how often a problem happens.
The other groups are small:
| Component group | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Air bags[5] | 3 |
| Unknown or other[6] | 3 |
| Fuel/propulsion system[7] | 2, one with a fire |
| Latches, locks and linkages[8] | 1 |
| Tires[9] | 1 |
| Suspension[10] | 1 |
| Exterior lighting[11] | 1 |
In the air bag complaints we read, both owners say they got a recall notice but the repair part was not available[5].
Recalls
NHTSA lists 11 recalls for the 2009 X6[2]. Some cover only certain build ranges or states where the car was registered, so confirm each one for the specific car. Newest first:
- Driver air bag inflator (20V017). The recall covers 59,965 vehicles[12]. A replacement inflator used as an interim repair part in earlier Takata recalls may explode as the propellant breaks down. Metal fragments could cause serious injury or death. Dealers replace the inflator free of charge[12].
- Passenger air bag inflator (20V016). The recall covers 4,007 vehicles[13]. Interim replacement inflators could explode with long exposure to humidity and heat. Owners are advised not to drive until the repair is done. Dealers replace the passenger air bag free of charge[13].
- Passenger air bag inflator (19V017). The recall covers 83,016 vehicles[14]. The inflator may explode in a crash and send metal fragments into the cabin. Owners are advised not to drive until the repair is done. Dealers replace the passenger air bag module free of charge[14].
- Auxiliary water pump (18V248). The recall covers 47,806 vehicles[15]. The electric auxiliary water pump may fail and overheat its circuit board, which raises the risk of fire. BMW said parts were limited at the time and owners would get a second notice when parts became available. BMW recommended parking outdoors until the repair is done[15].
- Passenger air bag inflator (18V030). The recall covers 41,808 vehicles[16], with different model years covered in different registration zones. The inflator may explode in a crash. Owners are advised not to drive until the repair is done. Dealers replace the module free of charge[16].
- Passenger air bag inflator (17V020). The recall covers 48,951 vehicles[17], again by registration zone. The inflator may rupture. Owners are advised not to drive until the repair is done. BMW said owners would get a second notice when remedy parts became available[17].
- Fuel pump (16V746). The recall covers 136,188 vehicles[18]. Loosely crimped wire contacts in the in-tank fuel pump may melt the connector and leak fuel. The pump may also stop and stall the engine, which raises crash risk. Dealers replace the fuel pump module free of charge[18].
- Passenger air bag inflator (16V364). The recall covers 97,738 vehicles[19] in two registration zones. The inflator may rupture in a crash. Owners are advised not to drive until it is repaired. Dealers replace the inflator or module free of charge[19].
- Driver air bag inflator (16V071). The recall covers 840,000 vehicles[20] across many BMW models. The inflator could rupture in a crash. Dealers replace the module or inflator free of charge[20].
- Auxiliary water pump (11V521). The recall covers 32,084 vehicles[21]. The pump's circuit board can overheat, which could lead to smoldering or a fire in the engine compartment. Dealers replace the pump free of charge[21].
- Rear brake discs (09V255). The recall covers 96 vehicles[22]. A rear brake disc may not meet specifications. In an extreme case it could break and cause loss of braking at that wheel. BMW inspects the discs and replaces them if needed, free of charge[22].
In the complaints we read, two owners of 2009 X6 cars describe getting notices for 16V071 and 16V364 when repair parts were not available[5][20][19]. Ask BMW whether parts are available now. Owners can call BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417[13].
Fuel economy
EPA lists two versions of this car:
| Version | City / highway / combined | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| xDrive35i, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6)[3] | 15 / 20 / 17 MPG | $4,850 |
| xDrive50i, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6)[23] | 12 / 18 / 15 MPG | $5,500 |
Both need premium fuel and have four-wheel or all-wheel drive[3][23].
Engine and size
The EPA lists a 3.0L 6-cylinder engine for the xDrive35i and a 4.4L turbocharged 8-cylinder engine for the xDrive50i[3][23]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications for the xDrive 350i variant[24].
How 2009 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 5 | 9 |
| 2009 | 22 | 11 |
| 2010 | 19 | 10 |
| 2011 | 32 | 13 |
| 2012 | 32 | 10 |
| 2013 | 26 | 6 |
| 2014 | 11 | 4 |
| 2015 | 9 | 1 |
| 2016 | 9 | 1 |
| 2017 | 3 | 2 |
| 2018 | 4 | 4 |
| 2019 | 5 | 4 |
| 2020 | 9 | 10 |
| 2021 | 7 | 7 |
| 2022 | 5 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 | 1 |
| 2024 | 9 | 5 |
| 2025 | 1 | 4 |
| 2026 | 3 | 2 |
| 2027 | 1 | 0 |
Complaint and recall counts for the X6 by model year show where 2009 sits[2]:
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 5 | 9 |
| 2009 | 22 | 11 |
| 2010 | 19 | 10 |
| 2011 | 32 | 13 |
| 2012 | 32 | 10 |
| 2013 | 26 | 6 |
2011 and 2012 each have 32 complaints and 2013 has 26, so 2009 is fourth highest across all listed years for complaints[2]. 2011 has 13 recalls[2], so 2009 is second highest for recalls. Counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide[2].
Should you buy a used 2009 X6?
NHTSA has 22 complaints on file, and none report a crash, injury or death[1]. The recall list is the bigger issue. Seven of the 11 recalls involve air bag inflators, and several say not to drive the car until the repair is done[13][12][14][16][17][19][20]. Before buying, confirm that every recall has been completed on that specific car, and expect fuel costs of $4,850 or $5,500 a year depending on the engine[3][23]. Engine complaints in our sample mention overheating, oil leaks and stalling, so a thorough inspection of the engine and cooling system is sensible[4].
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2009 BMW X6?
- Engine is the largest complaint group with 13 of 22 complaints[1][4]. Owners in our sample describe overheating, oil leaks or smoke, and stalling[4].
- How many recalls does the 2009 BMW X6 have?
- NHTSA lists 11 recalls, seven of them for air bag inflators[2][13][12][14][16][17][19][20].
- What MPG does the 2009 BMW X6 get?
- The xDrive35i is rated 17 MPG combined and the xDrive50i 15 MPG combined[3][23].
- Is the 2009 BMW X6 the worst year?
- No. By complaints, 2011, 2012 and 2013 are higher, and 2011 has more recalls[2].
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 22 owner complaints on file for the 2009 BMW X6 (0 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 0 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every BMW X6 model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for X6 xDrive35i, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Premium, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 20 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,850. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 13 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 68,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 3 complaints name the air bags component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 3 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 2 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 1 complaints name the latches/locks/linkages component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 1 complaints name the tires component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 1 complaints name the suspension component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 1 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 20V017, filed January 15, 2020: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 20V016, filed January 15, 2020: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 19V017, filed January 14, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 18V248, filed April 18, 2018: Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Turbo / Supercharger. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 18V030, filed January 9, 2018: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 17V020, filed January 10, 2017: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 16V746, filed October 17, 2016: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 16V364, filed May 25, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 16V071, filed February 5, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 11V521, filed October 20, 2011: Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine › Other Fuel Types › Turbo / Supercharger. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 09V255, filed July 8, 2009: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for X6 xDrive50i, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Premium, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 12 city / 18 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,500. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, X6 4DR SUV xDRIVE 350i: length 193 in, width 78 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 115 in, curb weight 4,894 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov